Not everything that wheezes is asthma

Joint Authors

al-Fadil, Hani
Bella, Abd al-Halim
Qarata, Aishah Ibrahim

Source

Bahrain Medical Bulletin

Issue

Vol. 41, Issue 4 (31 Dec. 2019), pp.271-274, 4 p.

Publisher

King Hamad University Hospital

Publication Date

2019-12-31

Country of Publication

Bahrain

No. of Pages

4

Main Subjects

Medicine

Topics

Abstract EN

Bird fancier’s lung disease (BFLD), also known as bird breeder’s lung; it is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by exposure to avian antigens.

It can present as acute to sub-acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

If not recognized early, it can progress into the chronic/fibrotic form leading to respiratory failure and fatal consequences.

We present a case of a fifty-seven-year-old, non-smoking female who presented with dry cough and dyspnea.

She had been previously diagnosed with asthma.

She is on combined inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta 2 agonist.

Upon reviewing and carefully assessing the risk factors, diagnosis of BFLD was made.

She showed significant improvement with prednisolone treatment and avoiding exposure to the antigen.

A history of exposure to birds, especially in non-smoking females, should alert the treating physician to the possibility of BFLD.

This case illustrates how HP is being misdiagnosed as asthma and how a wheeze can mislead the physician into diagnosing asthma in a patient with significant history of exposure to birds.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Qarata, Aishah Ibrahim& Bella, Abd al-Halim& al-Fadil, Hani. 2019. Not everything that wheezes is asthma. Bahrain Medical Bulletin،Vol. 41, no. 4, pp.271-274.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910506

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Qarata, Aishah Ibrahim…[et al.]. Not everything that wheezes is asthma. Bahrain Medical Bulletin Vol. 41, no. 4 (Dec. 2019), pp.271-274.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910506

American Medical Association (AMA)

Qarata, Aishah Ibrahim& Bella, Abd al-Halim& al-Fadil, Hani. Not everything that wheezes is asthma. Bahrain Medical Bulletin. 2019. Vol. 41, no. 4, pp.271-274.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910506

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references : p. 273-274

Record ID

BIM-910506